From the Principal

Dear Marist Families,

The year is off to a fantastic start.  We had our fall pep rally last Friday only to discover that 48% of our student body is involved in a fall sport!  The enthusiasm of all year levels was apparent as Ms. Vargas, our emcee for the event, worked the crowd.  Mr. Hayward, our new Athletic Director, took the opportunity to remind the students that they are more than individual teams - - they are members of a legacy for which they are now responsible.  The word "Marist" was chanted over and over as the students boasted their growing pride for their school.

The educational program is running with the same rigor you've come to rely upon.  Underclassmen are past the September Challenge Phase and are now gearing up for the PSAT's which are scheduled for October 17.  In the meantime the seniors are already completing applications for college and should be planning to visit some of their local choices on the October 17, a day set aside for that purpose.

One of our goals for this new school year is to envigorate our Service Program.  We'd like to transform the tradition of "counting service hours" as a graduation requirement by introducing a "culture of service":  that is in doing what really counts.  To that end, we are initiating some major changes which we'll be sharing with the students in a few weeks.  For now, we'd like to give the parents and guardians a preview.  We will be setting aside two-half days each school year for schoolwide service.  These events will be coupled with prayer and reflection on the nature of service and its importance in the history of the Catholic Church and in the tradition of the Marist community.  This schoolwide service will take place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Wednesday before Holy Thursday.  Teachers will be accompanying the students, working with them side by side, modeling this culture of service.

Our plan for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving involves the following:

• Freshmen - will experience "a hunger banquet" and prepare our thanksgiving food collection for transport
• Sophomores - will do chores around the building such as cleaning, painting, gardening
• Juniors - will perform shore clean up with the Passaic Valley River Commission
• Seniors - Small groups will meet a teacher at a local non-profit organization

As I said above, communication is the key to success in any relationship.  If you have reached this part of my newsletter and are still reading, thank you.  If there are ways in which we can improve our communication with you, please let us know.  Finally, be mindful of the ways in which you can stay in the communication loop at Marist:

• Refer to the website often. 
• Be sure you have an active e-mail account in our database. If you did not receive this newsletter via e-mail, then we don't have your proper e-mail address.
• Be sure your phone numbers are also up-to-date.  If you didn't get my voicemail about the Back-to-School Barbecue last week, then we don't have your proper phone number.
• Ask your son/ daughter to show you his/her page on MHS Online where homework is posted daily.  To have your own access will require that he/she give you his log-in and password.
• Stay in touch with his/ her teachers through voicemail or e-mail.  We promise a 24-hour response. 

As always, I thank you for your continued support.  Your children are truly a blessing to us. 

Sincerely,

Campus Ministry News

Opening Prayer Service: The Marist Family is, as you know, all over the world. We officially began our spiritual school year with the Prayer of the Holy Spirit, where the choir came from our school in New Zealand. We have many musicians here too, so two of our kids played at the liturgy as well. Jingyu Lin, whom we call "Mia", is a new student from China, who is a superb pianist.  She accompanied Ryan Williams on flute.  Ryan is one of our talented students in the Jersey City Visual and Performing Arts Program.  Our own choirs and musicians will be up and running in October when Activity Period gets underway. 

Esopus Work Weekend:  Several Seniors will accompany 

Br. Dan O'Riordon on a work weekend at the Brothers' Retreat House in Esopus where they will literally, build a Chapel.  This outdoor meditation space will be in memory of Br Raoul Molnar, a teacher and counselor here for many years. In the tradition of the Marist Brothers, they will pray and work and have a great time in the woods of beloved "Esopus." 

Encounter:  Seniors boys will also have an opportunity to attend the Encounter, to be held October 18-21 where they will join Seniors from all of our Eastern Marist schools to reflect and pray. Encounter is an important time in a Marist Senior's life, so interested Seniors should see Ms Kehoe.  Girls have their opportunity to go on Encounter in February.

Freshmen Day of Reflection:   All freshmen are welcome to attend the day - Thursday Oct 11th, at Esopus. Permissions slips and money ($25.00) must have been returned by Oct. 4th (We are very strict about turning things in on time to prepare our students for adult life.)  Freshmen will return by 5:45 that evening. They should wear comfortable clothes, no shorts and no flip flops or sandals. They will be hiking. Lunch is provided. No electronic devices. Cell phones and iPods may be used on the bus only.  See Ms Kehoe for details.

Feed the Hungry:  During October we will collect change to buy food for local food pantries. We will join the schools in all of Bayonne in this good work. So get rid of those pennies by putting them in the jar in the cafeteria!

Guidance News

Other Guidance Staff: We have been blessed yet again with an arsenal of interns and a volunteer to help round out our department.  Mr. Maldonado, Ms. Rosado, Mr. Baldwin, and Mr. John are all knowledgeable, patient, and able to help us attend to the diverse needs of our students.

Freshmen Peer Counseling:  In order to help our freshmen adapt more effectively as the rigor of freshmen year gets underway, our trained senior peer counselors will begin meeting with groups of freshmen on a weekly basis.  Parents of freshmen, please check in with your son/daughter and ask them how these weekly meetings are helping them.

Standardized Tests: We are encouraging our students to take both the SAT and ACT tests, as certain students perform better on different types of tests.  If you have questions about which test would be best for your student, do not hesitate to contact either Ms. Heymer or Ms. E. for more details.  

November 3rd SAT's: The last day for regular registration for the November 3rd SAT is October 4th.  Marist High School will be available as a test center for the November 3rd administration. Seniors are highly encouraged to retake the SAT in November to prepare for college applications.  If you miss the October 4th deadline, do not worry, there is also another administration of the SAT on December 1st (deadline of November 1st).

December 8th ACT: Though not yet administered at Marist, the ACT is a great option for many of our students.  The deadline for the December 8th administration is November 2nd, and fee waivers are available for those meeting the requirements.  Check out www.actstudent.org for more details on testing sites and the test itself. 

NJCU College Fair:   All of our seniors will participate in a College Visit Day at NJCU on Oct. 23rd.  Provided by Career Council , this is a great opportunity for students to learn about over 250 colleges. Ms. Heymer will distribute permission slips the week before.  Please return signed permission slips by the deadline so that your son/daughter can participate.

College Process:   All seniors have begun their college planning process.  By now, they should have distributed their recommendation forms to teachers, signed up for the SAT or ACT (or both), and started a list of colleges they're interested in attending.  All families of seniors should be helping to narrow the choices for college and planning visits to their various choices.  Go to an open house or make appointments through the Admissions Office to go for tours and meet with financial aid officers.  Find out as much information as you can so you can make an informed choice.  Need help?  Make an appointment with Ms. Heymer or Ms. E., (201 437-4545 Ext. 304 or 301) or nheymer@marist.org or meisenmenger@marist.org.

Other News

Thanks to our Donors:  Through the generosity of an alum who wishes to remain anonymous, the front wall around the grounds was repaired.  In addition, that donation is covering the installation of the electronic sign which is on its way.  The Marist Brothers and three other Marist High Schools are donating funds so that our chapel can be refurbished.  We are in debt to the kindness and generosity of these wonderful people.

All Parents of Focus Students are required to attend a very important mandatory meeting on Tuesday, October 16 from 6:30-8:00 in the school cafeteria.  Contact your son's/daughter's Focus Teacher if you can't make that meeting.

The Annual Walk-a-thon is scheduled for Friday, October 5.  No student can walk without a signed permission slip which was collected by the homeroom teacher.  Permission slips will not be accepted after Thursday, October 4.  Each student is expected to submit the minimum of $70 by the morning of the walk-a-thon.  Remember, your tuition only covers 76% of the true cost of educating a Marist student.  Fundraisers help!  And besides the walk-a-thon is fun!!

Columbus Day is observed on October 8 this year.  No classes will be held.  Enjoy the day off!

Junior Rings Measurement will take place in the cafeteria during lunch on Friday, October 18 and 19.  Juniors will receive information beforehand.  Keep in mind that the Junior Leadership Ceremony which will take place in March is for all juniors, not just those who order a ring. 

Caps and Gowns measurements for seniors take place during the lunch period on Monday, October 15. Be sure your son/daughter is not absent on that day.

All Forms were due to the homeroom teacher on September 17.  At this time, students who have not submitted these necessary legal forms will be asked to serve detention until all forms are in.  Blank forms are available in the main office.

Activity Fair:  Activity Period is a unique feature of Marist Life. Once a month, the school day stops so that students can attend an activity of their choosing.  The Activity Fair, to be held on October 3, is when we market activities, new and old, that students can join.  Students are encouraged to include all activities on their college applications, making Activity Period an important component of "Mind, Body, Spirit" but also of "Go to Marist . . . Go to College".

Marist Parents Association:  After last year's initial success, the Marist Parents Association, is now fully functional.   The electronic sign which they paid for will be erected sometime this month.  Their next meeting is on Tuesday, October 9, from 6:30-8:30.  You can find minutes of preceding meetings on the website, under parents.   If you'd like to join the association or become a volunteer, please contact the officers through their e-mail addresses which you can find on the website as well.